A review by crreature
All the Murmuring Bones by A.G. Slatter
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
5.0
All The Murmuring Bones is a dark gothic fairytale, set in fantasy Ireland in that undefined 'olden days' time period where everyone relies on horses for transport and swords for murder. There's magic, blood, death and dangerous dark creatures - but it's also more of a family drama than a fantasy novel. The horrors that lurk in the deep are an important element to the story, but we also don't spend that much time with them.
The book opens with the O'Malleys, who were once a hugely successful sea-faring family due to a deal struck with the mer. In return for the safety of their ships, each generation was required to sacrifice a child to the sea. Over time, the family's numbers have dwindled and the debt has not been paid for many years. Miren O'Malley is now the last of the line, the one last hope to bring back the glory of the O'Malley family, if only she will do what her Grandmother has planned for her (spoiler: she doesn't).
I really enjoyed this book. The pace is slow, but I was never bored. It's a very lyrical book, with lots of descriptions. There's action, but it's got that slow building pace to it. I loved the inclusion of all the creepy O'Malley family fairy tales. I loved the Kelpie. I loved the ghosts. I loved the townsfolk. I loved the green-eyed man, and I also loved what Miren did to him. The slow creepy horror vibes on this book were excellent (though it wasn't a scary book). I loved the world building - the acceptance of magical creatures who wanted to eat you as normal, the 'home remedies', the incidiousness of the Church (and calling their priests "god-hounds"), the burning of women as witches, the fact they had an assassins market right in the middle of town and everyone knew about it...! CHEFS KISS.
Will definitely be picking up Slatter's next book in this world (The Path of Thorns) when it comes out.
Aoife McMahon was also a fantastic narrator - would highly recommend the audiobook.
The book opens with the O'Malleys, who were once a hugely successful sea-faring family due to a deal struck with the mer. In return for the safety of their ships, each generation was required to sacrifice a child to the sea. Over time, the family's numbers have dwindled and the debt has not been paid for many years. Miren O'Malley is now the last of the line, the one last hope to bring back the glory of the O'Malley family, if only she will do what her Grandmother has planned for her (spoiler: she doesn't).
I really enjoyed this book. The pace is slow, but I was never bored. It's a very lyrical book, with lots of descriptions. There's action, but it's got that slow building pace to it. I loved the inclusion of all the creepy O'Malley family fairy tales. I loved the Kelpie. I loved the ghosts. I loved the townsfolk. I loved the green-eyed man, and I also loved what Miren did to him. The slow creepy horror vibes on this book were excellent (though it wasn't a scary book). I loved the world building - the acceptance of magical creatures who wanted to eat you as normal, the 'home remedies', the incidiousness of the Church (and calling their priests "god-hounds"), the burning of women as witches, the fact they had an assassins market right in the middle of town and everyone knew about it...! CHEFS KISS.
Will definitely be picking up Slatter's next book in this world (The Path of Thorns) when it comes out.
Aoife McMahon was also a fantastic narrator - would highly recommend the audiobook.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Minor: Incest